Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Sunday defended the federal budget for 2026-27 and invited opposition parties to support a Charter of Economy aimed at ensuring long-term economic stability.
Speaking in the National Assembly, Tarar said the government’s economic policies had helped improve the country’s financial situation. He described the budget as people-friendly and focused on providing relief. He also highlighted the government’s decision to abolish the super tax after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the move.
Tarar said revenue collection and overseas remittances had increased and urged the opposition to acknowledge the government’s economic achievements. He also praised Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote peace in the Middle East.
The federal budget, presented on June 12, offers relief measures for salaried employees, businesses, the real estate sector and exporters. The government avoided introducing major new taxes but proposed taxes on social media earnings and a fixed tax system for small traders.
Responding during the debate, PTI leader Asad Qaiser said his party was ready to sign a Charter of Democracy to ensure an independent judiciary and election commission. He rejected allegations regarding PTI’s communication with the IMF and said the party had never acted against Pakistan’s interests.
Qaiser argued that several budget measures reflected IMF recommendations. He also criticised the government for not providing enough support to farmers, claiming Punjab’s agricultural sector could suffer losses of up to Rs2.2 trillion. He further alleged that dozens of companies had pulled their investments out of Pakistan.
The National Assembly continued its debate on the 2026-27 budget over the weekend, with lawmakers discussing economic measures as well as political issues. Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai also criticised the government’s decision not to increase provincial development allocations.
